Ducati V4 Akrapovic full system and insurance
Discussion
I've always fancied a V4 Multistrada with the Ducati Akrapovic full system fitted. It's a dealer only fit as they have to apply the official up-map. I've been told that this is a race exhaust and apparently not road legal.
I saw a video from Bennetts last night, it mentioned that most mods are complemenrty including exhausts, however one of the presenters then added 'as long as road legal', so now I'm confused as to how people get bikes with the race exhaust insured.
Thoughts?
I saw a video from Bennetts last night, it mentioned that most mods are complemenrty including exhausts, however one of the presenters then added 'as long as road legal', so now I'm confused as to how people get bikes with the race exhaust insured.
Thoughts?
Either don’t tell them and take the risk if you need to claim. Or tell them and they may or may not cover it. Sometimes they say they’ll cover you, but will only replace parts with road legal items if they do a repair.
Seems unlikely though that Ducati will provide an upgrade on a road bike that isn’t road legal. Are you sure it’s not road legal?
Seems unlikely though that Ducati will provide an upgrade on a road bike that isn’t road legal. Are you sure it’s not road legal?
Ducati have been dealer fitting exhausts on road bikes that are not road legal for years. Thats why its dealer and not factory fitted. Sure the Upmap gives a tickle in power, but it also does away with error codes from no longer having a catalyst.
Its your appetite for the risk in the event you have an accident. But I would not trust the insurer when it comes to signing the cheque.
Are Bennett’s the insurer, or a Broker? I’d want a stone clad guarantee from whoever is underwriting the Policy.
It’s the age old situation of only finding out when the turd hits the fan. I fitted a Euro 5 homologised Zard exhaust with catalyst to my Ducati. Sounds glorious. It’s declared, and I have no concerns as it’s appropriately stamped and came with a compliance certificate. Was only £300 more than the one without the cat so didn’t go through homologation.
Its your appetite for the risk in the event you have an accident. But I would not trust the insurer when it comes to signing the cheque.
Are Bennett’s the insurer, or a Broker? I’d want a stone clad guarantee from whoever is underwriting the Policy.
It’s the age old situation of only finding out when the turd hits the fan. I fitted a Euro 5 homologised Zard exhaust with catalyst to my Ducati. Sounds glorious. It’s declared, and I have no concerns as it’s appropriately stamped and came with a compliance certificate. Was only £300 more than the one without the cat so didn’t go through homologation.
Edited by PT1984 on Wednesday 18th February 16:16
First v4 streetfighter I had the 'not on a public road' akra end cans.
Declared it and tbh didn't really seem to affect the prices that much at all.
Current one was standard and new one next week is also standard exhaust as, although it sounded awesome, it was a bit much at times.
Literally risk vs reward - if the reward is worth it, then take the risk - i always assumed you'd get the money minus the modification if the worst happened....but now I come to think of it, would it be grounds to void the policy?
Declared it and tbh didn't really seem to affect the prices that much at all.
Current one was standard and new one next week is also standard exhaust as, although it sounded awesome, it was a bit much at times.
Literally risk vs reward - if the reward is worth it, then take the risk - i always assumed you'd get the money minus the modification if the worst happened....but now I come to think of it, would it be grounds to void the policy?
I had a V4 Multi until last year, it came with the Akraprovic road legal slip on but not the headers fitted.
I contemplated getting the header but in the end never bothered. There is/was a long ongoing thread on the Ducati forum about the legality, with a couple of people mentioning they had declared and insured, remainder not bothered to declare as their insurer wouldn't cover non road legal full systems.
Its a similar situation to a decat pipe, which isnt legal but many do it anyway....
I contemplated getting the header but in the end never bothered. There is/was a long ongoing thread on the Ducati forum about the legality, with a couple of people mentioning they had declared and insured, remainder not bothered to declare as their insurer wouldn't cover non road legal full systems.
Its a similar situation to a decat pipe, which isnt legal but many do it anyway....
bogie said:
I had a V4 Multi until last year, it came with the Akraprovic road legal slip on but not the headers fitted.
I contemplated getting the header but in the end never bothered. There is/was a long ongoing thread on the Ducati forum about the legality, with a couple of people mentioning they had declared and insured, remainder not bothered to declare as their insurer wouldn't cover non road legal full systems.
Its a similar situation to a decat pipe, which isnt legal but many do it anyway....
I guess the question is whether an insurer has the right to deny coverage if the bike is found with non declared AND non road legal modifications after the fact. If so, the rider/insured party could be liable for the insurers claim for costs in the event they have to pay out to a third party in the event of an accident. If it's a single vehicle accident then they'd probably deny coverage although that may lead to a Police prosecution of riding whilst uninsured....I contemplated getting the header but in the end never bothered. There is/was a long ongoing thread on the Ducati forum about the legality, with a couple of people mentioning they had declared and insured, remainder not bothered to declare as their insurer wouldn't cover non road legal full systems.
Its a similar situation to a decat pipe, which isnt legal but many do it anyway....
If only there was an insurance guru we could call upon.... I dunno, someone like R1Loon.....
Maybe if you say his name 3 times...............
bogie said:
I had a V4 Multi until last year, it came with the Akraprovic road legal slip on but not the headers fitted.
I contemplated getting the header but in the end never bothered. There is/was a long ongoing thread on the Ducati forum about the legality, with a couple of people mentioning they had declared and insured, remainder not bothered to declare as their insurer wouldn't cover non road legal full systems.
Its a similar situation to a decat pipe, which isnt legal but many do it anyway....
I enjoy v-twin motorcycles that can breathe. One has Contis - as when it was new - one has Termis and one has a V&H system.I contemplated getting the header but in the end never bothered. There is/was a long ongoing thread on the Ducati forum about the legality, with a couple of people mentioning they had declared and insured, remainder not bothered to declare as their insurer wouldn't cover non road legal full systems.
Its a similar situation to a decat pipe, which isnt legal but many do it anyway....
When I called my insurer about the V&H, they asked me if it had passed an MOT. When I confirmed that it had, I was told that it was obviously legal and there was no need to declare it.
PT1984 said:
What exactly is the law with removing emissions hardware?
There are no mot emission tests for motorbikes and I don’t think there are any rules regarding changing / removing parts related to emissions.As long as it’s roadworthy it’s fine but as is being discussed an exhaust stamped not for road use could be a problem but equally you aren’t getting points for it.
PT1984 said:
What exactly is the law with removing emissions hardware?
Depends on how old the bike is, quoted from the interweb 
"Removing the catalytic converter ("cat") from a motorcycle manufactured to Euro 3 standards or later (roughly 2006/2007 onwards) is generally illegal for road use in the UK. It makes the vehicle fail to meet original emissions standards and is an MOT failure, potentially invalidating insurance.
Key points regarding the legality of removing a motorcycle catalytic converter:
MOT Failure: If your bike was manufactured with a catalytic converter, removing it will cause an MOT failure.
Emissions Law: It is illegal to use a vehicle on the road that has been modified to produce higher emissions than it was built to meet.
Insurance Risk: Removing the cat is a modification that must be declared to insurers. Failure to do so can invalidate your insurance policy, making it illegal to ride.
Police/DVSA Action: While enforcement can be inconsistent, removing a cat puts you at risk of fines and potentially having the bike deemed unroadworthy.
Exhaust System: If you replace the entire stock system with a "not for road use" system, this is also illegal for public roads. "
Until recently one of my bikes had a full system but over 10 years it never caused any issue and never noted as no emissions test in a bike MOT. However on current bikes which I regularly tour Europe on, I havnt bothered due to draconian laws in other countries like France and Germany. Not worth with the risk of having the bike confiscated whereas in UK if the Police did bother you likely you get a rectification notice and sent on your way.
Im sure many of us have the odd non road legal exhaust, or slightly smaller plate etc, and go for many years without issue. (as per Steves comment) The big thing with exhausts, is if its an undeclared mod and you have an accident, will the insurer try to wriggle out or reduce payout etc.
Edited by bogie on Wednesday 18th February 21:35
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